Brackish water change

[FishApprentice]

Hey guys,

I'm new to puffer keeping, but I got a GSP from Wal-Mart. I know, I know what your thinking, but I did do research beforehand so I am prepared.

I have him in a 20 gal tank (for now, I will purchase a new tank for him as he grows up) and the SG is at about 1.002 right now. I added about a 1/3 cup of Instant Ocean and it came out to be pretty much perfect (I did this BEFORE I got the puffer and acclimated him accordingly). Now the water is starting to evaporate a bit, this will concentrate and raise the SG correct? So if I want to top off the tank I can just add de-chlorinated tap water and the SG should stay the same (1.002) correct?

Also, when i need to do a water change in a week or so, I will take out 50% of the water and then would have to add 1/6 of a cup of IO to make it 1.002 again and then another 1/3 cup to bring it up for 1.004 ? or should I change it by a smaller increment so as not to totally kill my bio-filtration?

[pinkfloydpuffer]

Yep, for evaporation just add dechlorinated freshwater.

You can bring it up by up to .002 a week, so you should be ok going from 1.002-1.004

[FishApprentice]

Awesome, while I have you here how fast do GSPs grow if kept in pristine conditions? =) Thanks

[pinkfloydpuffer]

I believe it was about 1" per year.
I've had my guys for almost 8 months now and they haven't grown very much at all.

[FishApprentice]

I believe it was about 1" per year.
I've had my guys for almost 8 months now and they haven't grown very much at all.

Ah that's great news, thanks

[Jay.B.]

I have had mine for a little over a year now and he has grown a good 3 inches.

[FishApprentice]

I have had mine for a little over a year now and he has grown a good 3 inches.

Strange, I wonder what the average growth rate is?

[Pufferpunk]

Mine grew from 2-6" in 2 years. I never bother to top off my FW/BW tanks, as I am doing 50% (or more) weekly water changes on them anyway.